"Grad Draws Criticism for Doing Back Flip "

[baggio248]

We slid down the hand rails on the stairs.



HOUMA, La. (AP.org) -- The mother of an Ellender High graduate who landed in trouble after performing a back flip during his walk across the graduation stage said he should not have to do any extra labor to get his diploma.

Diane Carlos said her son Kevin's apology to Terrebonne Parish School Board members - and to the mother who missed hearing her sons name called due to the uproar following the back flip - is all the punishment she is willing to let school officials ask of him.

"You may have a few classmates that were upset, but the majority of the group cheered it," Carlos said in a prepared statement released Friday.

Many audience members at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center Tuesday night cheered and applauded, but school officials said some of Kevin's classmates were upset the stunt could eclipse their moment of recognition.

Following the flip, Assistant Principal Ronald Stoufflet called Carlos back to the stage, where he was directed to remain backstage until the ceremony concluded.

Originally, Kevin Carlos had agreed to let Principal Marilyn Schwartz hold his diploma as a punishment for the stunt until he apologized and completed work around the school. He had not yet received his diploma because graduates receive only a diploma cover during the ceremony and the actual document afterward.

His mother said Friday that apologies are enough. Contacted by The Courier newspaper in Houma, Schwartz said "I really thought all of this was resolved." She said if Diane Carlos feels the issue is not resolved, she needs to speak with school officials.

[speedracer120]

What a pile of bull****. Pure and simple. Some people are just way to full of their self worth. More like they have none to feel that having someone do a backflip is eclipsing their one moment to shine. Puh-lease! :rolleyes:

[whitak24]

i don't really understand the uproar.

1.) the backflip was probably unnecessary.
2.) but it's not like he flashed the whole audience, flipped the principal the bird, or did any other of a number of things that would be truly disruptive.
3.) whoever was reading the names should have just waited for the commotion to die down so they could continue with everyone hearing each name.
4.) the people who are whining about this are pathetic and insecure.
5.) the administrators need to pull the rod out of their bungholes and not try to stifle everyone's fun at graduation.

[mcs328]

Hmm...I've been to a few graduations like other I assume and some families wait their whole lives for their children to graduate. Some respect the rules that's mentioned beforehand and some don't. Yes the speakers could wait til the commotion died down but what if half the people did what this graduate did or if the family members caused up an uproar. You would have like 6 hour graduations...well not 6 hours but it'll be long. So from a time standpoint it moves traffic. From a parental or familial(sp?) view I would like to hear the persons name...I don't think showboating is necessary and I look down on it if it overshadows someone else's moment. It starts with a backflip (which could cause harm if the people around don't know he's going to do it) and it might go further like moonwalks or grabbing the mic and giving out shout outs to friends and families. Give the dummy his diploma and escort him out(is that legal?) of the commencement event and location.

[Showtime]

I don't think it's a bid deal, but what's next? If a backflip got that kind of response, what are this years Jr's going to pump the crowd at their graduation? Maybe next year a kid will send up some fireworks or have a congrats banner flown across the sky when he gets his diploma. I don't think the school has a choice but to take some disciplinary actions against him.

-jel:halo:

[brainsmile]

what would have happened if he slipped and broke his neck

[gwilks98]

I'm no parent, but graduation was pretty damned important to my mom. I guess she viewed it as one of her life's big achievements raising 2 men and a woman. Having some attention whore drown that out would have torn her heart out. I don't think this mom's a whiner. All she wanted was an apology. She's not suing or anything.

Whitak, I'm with you, the school really should have waited before going on.

[DarkFury]

what would have happened if he slipped and broke his neck
Everyone woulda laughed ... at first, then noticing that he was actually hurt, the shocked "gasping" noise would ensue shortly followed by a call for any doctors in the house then an emergency call to 911....

That's how I'd imagine it... :hmm: :shrug:

[ski]

The especially popular or noteworthy graduates got a considerable amount of noise and applause in our graduation, and the announcers would know to wait a little bit more for it to die down to continue. That doesn't mean those students should have been punished for their achievements (albeit a backflip is planned while theirs was earned).

A good announcer would have the patience to wait 5-10 seconds.

[yippiekiyeh]

Everyone has their moment to shine. He chose to celebrate with a backflip. So what's the big deal? You had your chance to celebrate in whatever form you want. If you didn't do a backflip when it was your turn that's fine. Maybe when you graduate from college you can think about doing a backflip then.

I'm tired of all this PC crap. People got to quit whining and start focusing on more important issues.

[Markel]

I think that a graduating student pulling a stunt like that earns some kind of action by the administration in order to keep things orderly in future graduations. At my HS graduation rehersal, one cut-up kind of guy gave a dual "victory" V with his hands toward the other rehersing students in the audience (and got a reaction). The principal went to the microphone and said, "If you pull a stunt like that at the graduation, I knock you off the stage!" (and he was of a size that could do it). At the actual graduation, as the same guy walked away after receiving his diploma, the principal turned and watched him (and there were a number of snickers from the rest of the class).

At the two high school graduations for my children (so far), they always request that friends/family refrain from applause, etc., so that the commencement can proceed at a good pace and the next name can be heard. We have always abided by it, but there are always the :censored: who feel that their graduate is more important than everyone elses and they have to create an uproar after their darling's name is read. :mad2:

[Apex]

what would have happened if he slipped and broke his neck

His parents would have sued the school, unless the school district had no money. Then, they would go after the company that constructed the stage.

[LegendKiller]

His parents would have sued the school, unless the school district had no money. Then, they would go after the company that constructed the stage.


Apex busts out the cynicism!!


Don't forget the gown manufacturer who created a neferous entraping garment meant to snare backflippers and cause paralysis.


LK

[DarkFury]

His parents would have sued the school, unless the school district had no money. Then, they would go after the company that constructed the stage.
What about suing the shoe company as well? :D